Croatia (Interrail Countries)

Croatia is situated in Southern Europe on the east side of the Adriatic Sea, to the east of Italy. There are many historic places to visit, like the fortified city of Dubrovnik or the capital Zagreb, the country's cultural centre. But especially Croatia's coastal areas are stunning, and have the hybrid charm of Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean.

Country characteristics

The Adriatic coasts and islands
Croatia's coastline is laced with numerous islands, indented with beautiful bays, and distinguished by gorgeous peninsulas. Pleasant temperatures are easy to find, especially on the island of Hvar, which has 2,718 hours of sunshine yearly. The clear, clean beaches on Croatia's larger islands are perfect for those who wish to soak up the sun. The islands of Krk, Cres, Brac, Hvar, Pag, Korcula, Dugi Otok, Mlijet, Rab, Vis and the Kornati Islands are among the largest. There are also a number of picturesque bays. The best known include The Bay of Kvarner and The Bay of Sibenik.

A trip along the coastline is an unforgettable adventure. Beginning in Istria (Croatia's largest peninsula): Rovinj, Pula, Brijuni Islands and Motovun are four beautiful stopovers. Further south are Opatija, Crikvenica, Zadar, Sibenik, Primosten, Trogir, Solin, Split, Makarska,
Dubrovnik and Cavtat. Each has its own style and character, and will make your coastal experience a memorable one.

The Croatian highlands
Nature lovers will feel at home when they visit the forest region of Gorski Kotar. Leaf and coniferous forests cover 63 percent of this area and the flora is rich and of a large variety. Cold snowy winter days and crisp summer evenings characterise this region. Velebit Mountain has been proclaimed a universal wildlife refuge by UNESCO.

Villages in Croatia
Rustic architecture in a natural setting of low-lying meadows, grasslands, fields, and century-old oak forests can be seen in Slavonia, Zagorje and Podravina. Surroundings are decorated with chapels and walls of
ancient castles.

Natural parks 
Croatia has a total 300 protected natural locations. Croatia has seven natural parks: the Brijuni islands, the Kornati islands, the island of MIijet, Krka Waterfalls, Pakienica Canyon, Plitvice Lakes and Risnjak Mountain. Many national parks, such as the Velebit and Biokovo Mountains, are located away from cities and transport routes. Others, such as Medvednica (Zagreb), and Kopacki Rit (Osijek), are situated close to urban areas.
The island of Lokrum near Dubrovnik, Rauchova lugarnica (Rauch forest) near Zagreb, and the top of Japetic Mountain near Samobor, are examples of vegetation forests located near major urban centres.

Hot springs and thermal spa’s
Croatia is known for its mineral hot springs and thermal spas. People visit them for a vacation or for a recuperation. The hot springs are located in attractive natural surroundings such as Kaprina, Stubica, Tuhelj and Varazdin in Hrvatsko Zagorje (Croatian Hinterland). The well known health resorts in other regions are Daruvar and Lipik in Western Slavonia; Bizovac near Osijek; Topusko in Kordun; Crikvenica, Hvar, Makarska, Opatija, Umag and Veli Losinj on the coast; and Istarske Toplice in Istria.

Cultural and historical monuments
Croatia has an extraordinarily rich cultural heritage. In addition, it has been exposed to many other cultures during the course of its history. This makes it a very intriguing country for tourists and others interested in history, architecture and theatre. Many cultural remain: from the Greek, Roman and Medieval eras can be found in museums, churches and old architectural objects. In most villages, you will come across an old chapel, church or medieval fortress.

Churches, castles and museums
Many ancient Roman Catholic churches symbolise the cultural heritage of the Croatian people, and display the beauty and historical value of the region. Nin, Split and Omis are only some cities in Croatia that can be categorised as museums. These cities are rich in cultural monuments and the core of their urbanisation very old and well preserved. Cities belonging to this category include Pula, Motovun, Zadar, Sibenik, Split, Trogir and Dubrovnik. Sacred and holy objects found in the continental region of Croatia are of interest to tourists as well as Croatian. Some of these are the Trakoscan Castle, Miljana's Mansion, Veliki Tabor Castle, the old town of Varazdin a its Museum, the museum of the Villagers' Uprising within the Palace in Gornja Stubica, the traditional village in Kumrovec, baroque style churches in Belec and Zago the upper town and the heart of old Zagreb, and the Cathedrals in Zagreb, Dakovo and Osijek.

Carnaval in the City of Rijeka
Rijeka is all the more affirming itself as a city of culture, Carnivals and fun. The 3rd biggest international Carnival in the world takes place every year in Rijeka with over 10,000 masqueraders and carnival groups. They all come to follow the carnival events, characterized by a particular blend of Europe's urban and rural carnival traditions. The jam packed program starts at the beginning of January and lasts up to the end of February.
For those who enjoy good maritime cuisine and appreciate a great view, Arca Fiumana ship anchored in Rijeka city harbor is the place to go. This will in the near future be Croatia's first floating hotel. For now it features restaurant and a pub that became a guarantee of a good time in Rijeka.

Moderna Galerija Zagreb
The Moderna Galerija Zagreb(Modern Gallery Zagreb) is open once more after the 11 year closing and its total reconstruction. It reopened on December 29, 2005 with the slogan '100 years of Modern Gallery, 200 years of Croatian Art'. This slogan was chosen because up to now nowhere in Croatia was there an exhibit which covered 200 years of Croatian art. The new exhibition celebrates the Croatian art with 153 paintings.

Source http://www.interrailnet.com/